Machine tool



Dec. 31, 1940. J. R. JOHNSON 2,227,410

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Dec. 31; 1940. J. R. JOHNSON MACHINE TOOL 6 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1957 w Tm ES m 2M U ,0M/9 Mw, WMJM' @TToQuiy/s e sheets-sheet s' J. R.l .JOHNSON MACHINE TOOL Filed July 29, 1937' M s N my@ T s Q M M m u@ w @WHW ww 1|\ l l U @y .lmwl Kw 6 WWU mm r @w mw m MN UQ mm om .0mm uw Dec. 31, 1940.

Dec. 31, 1940. 1 R, JOHNSQN 2,227,416

MACHINE TOOL Filed July 29, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 31, 1940. v J, R, JQHNSN 2,227,410

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@neways Dec. 31, 1940. J, R., .JOHNSON MACHINE TOOL Filed July 29, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 WW, CM'AQM JHMJ,

CfITToQigys atented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE ToorJ Application July 29, 1937, Serial No. 156,287 claims. (c1. elo-16) The invention relates to machine tools and more particularly to improvements in machine tools of the type commonly known as open-side milling or boring machines.

One object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool of the type set forth which is capa'- ble of extreme'lexibility of adjustment of the cutter position so as to accommodate the machining of both inner and outer surfaces of work lll pieces even though such surfaces be located in a great variety of angular positions, all Without sacrince in the precision of the Work performed or in the power available for the metal removing operations.

l5 .another object is to simplify and increase the ruggedness of the cutter mounting in a machine of the type set forth by\mounting the cutter spindle on a slide which is supported on spaced parallel ways carried by the vertically movable l saddle and extending transversely of the work table.

Further objectaand advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty tu which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawtn ings in which Figure l is a perspective view of a machine tool embodying the invention, portions of the bed and work. supporting table being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the nu driving mechanism for the various elements of the machine tool shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the cutter head.

Fig. Ll is an exploded perspective view of the M parts of adjusting and locking mechanism for a portion of the cutter head.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation partly in section of the outer portion of the cutter attachment head shown in Fig.. 3 and illustrating particularly the .pt adjustment mechanism therefor.

Figs. 6, 7,8 and 9 illustrate diagrammatically the position of the cutter for machining a wide variety of diiferently located work surfaces.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the no drawings, the invention has been shown herein for purposes of illustration vas embodied in a socalled open-side milling or boring machine comprising a work support in the form of a table lll mounted for horizontal sliding movement on a bed il. The-table may be advanced at either a rapid traverse rate or at a relatively slower feed rate by any suitable power actuated mechanism. Herein, this is accomplished by a rapid traverse motor l2 (Fig. 2) and a feed motor I3 operatively connected to the table lll through a differential 5 gear mechanism M, connected through a worm gear and worm l5, to an elongated pinion |16 meshing with a split tooth worm ll, which in turn meshes with a vrack it fast on the table |10.

Provision has been made for the use of several i0 metal removing or cutting toolsand as will hereinafter appear in greater detail, the supporting mechanism for these cutting tools is of such character that they may be positioned with great freedom of movement to operate upon portions of a Work piece located in a variety of angular p0- sitions and either on the exterior of the work piece or at some point or points within a hollow Work piece. The tool supporting mechanism embodies a vertical column lll (Fig. l) which is preferably 20 xedly mounted on the door at one side of the table lu and provided with vertical ways itl on a lateral face thereof. A saddle 2l is arranged to' slide vertically'in the ways it. lThe saddle in turn carries a tool head assembly designated generally by the numeral 22 and mounted in a novel manner fo'r bodily endwise movement in a horizontal direction relative to the saddle and transversely of the table llt.

rIhe tool head assembly 2i embodies a rotatable 30 tool driving spindle in the form of a sleeve 23 (Fig. 2) as well as a self-contained power actuating unit therefor shown in the formof an electric motor 2d connected to theyspindle 23 through gearing 25. The spindle sleeve is jourmaled `and held against endwise movement in a tubular extension il projecting from a box-like casing 2li@t in which the motor 24 and drive gear-` ing are housed. Along the rear side, the casing and the extension are formed with dovetail surfaces- 26 mating in spaced parallel ways 26a formed in the front face of the saddle 2l and extending horizontally. The spindle sleeve is thus supported horizontally for axial movement so that the tool carried by the spindle may, by sliding the tool head along the ways 26a, be disposed in different positions transversely of the table l0. Power is supplied to the motor 24 through conductors within a'. flexible cable 2lb Fig. 1).

By slidably `mounting the tool head 22 on the 50 saddle 2l inthe manner described above, adjustment of the tool transversely of the table may be effected without shifting the table or the co1-4 umn as has been the practice heretofore. As a result the spindle is supported with greater rigidl* ity throughout its wide range of axial adjustment. In addition. by locating the ways 26 on the rear side of the tool head, long and rugged guideways may be employed while at the same time permitting the driving parts to be arranged compactly on Ithe head in front of the gudeways.

A. single power actuating mechanism is preferably utilized for advancing the saddle 2| along the vertical ways 20 as well as for'sliding the tool head assembly 22 transversely with respect to the saddle. As shown in Fig. 2, this mechanism has been illustrated in the form of a rapid traverse motor 28 and a feed motor 29 connected to a vertical spline shaft 3U on` the column I9 through a speed change gearing 3| and a differential gear mechanism 32. The spline shaft 30 is connected to the saddle 2|, for effecting translatory movement thereof, through a pair of lead screws 33 having traveling nuts 34 thereon fast on the saddle and connected to the spline shaft 36 through an intermediate shaft 35 and miter gears 36 and 31. A clutch 38 interposed between the miter gears 31 and the intermediate shaft 35 is arranged to be operated at will by a hand lever 3|!a to connect the spline shaft 30 to or disconnect the same from the lead screw 33.

Similarly, translatory motion is imparted to the tool head assembly 22 from the. rotatable spline shaft 36 through the medium ofta lead screw 39 journaled in the casing 21i and fast against endwise movement with l respect to the saddle 2|, this lead screw being threaded in a traveling nut 46 fast on the casing 21a. The screw 39 is driven through gearing 4I and a shaft 42 connected -to thev spline shaft .30 through a clutch mechanism 43. The latter includes a bevelu gear 44 fast on the shaft 42 and meshing with a pair of bevel gears 45 and 46 which are loose on the shaft 30 and adapted to be engaged selectively by an axially shiftable collar 44 splined on the shaft. The collar 44a may be shifted by a hand lever 44.

For some operations, particularly boring, it may be desirable to position a cutting tool at a point beyond the range of horizontal traversing movement of the tool head assembly 22. To provide for this, a shaft or boring bar 48 is extended through and splined within the spindle sleeve 23. The cutter supporting end of this bar may be projected outwardly from the sleeve 23 by a suitable traversing mechanism shown in the form of a traveling nut 49 fast on the other end of lthe bar and threaded on a screw 50. 'I'he latter may be driven from the spline shaft 30 through a suitable gearing mechanism and a clutch (not shown).

. A central control station for all of the power actuating mechanisms is preferably provided on the tool head assembly 22..` 'Ihis may, for example, take the form of a switchboard 5| (Fig. l) and the various clutch control levers which are disposed within the convenient reach of an operator standing on a. platform 22a also supported by the tool head. This advantageous arrangement is made possible by supporting the tool head from its rear side through the medium of the spaced guideways 26.

In the use of an open side milling machine of the character described above, a milling cutter may be mounted directly on the end of. the

spindle 23 or, the cutter shank maybe inserted in the recessed end of the bar 48. In the latter location, the cutter may also be usedfor boring operations. In the illustrated machine a novel attachment has been provided for supporting face milling cutters 52 and 53 (Figs. 2 and 3) in a manner such as to permit the milling of work surfaces disposed in widely varying angular positions exteriorly or interiorly of a work piece on the table I0. For this purpose, the cutter 52 is disposed with its axis disposed parallel to and spaced from the axis A-A of the spindle 23 and is mounted for adjustment bodily around the axis A-A and also around an axis B-B extending transversely of and intersecting the axis A-A and the cutter axis.

To thus support the cutter 52, a reinforced tubular casing 55 preferably of conical shape is clamped securely, as by cap screws 56, against the flanged outer end of the extension 21 in which the spindle 23 is journaled. Near its outer end. the casing 55 supports a bearing 62 for the plug 41 which is received in the recessed end of the boring bar 48 and is coupled thereto by a tongue and groove connection 6|. The reduced end 41a of the plug has fast thereon a bevel gear 60 from which the rotary motion of the spindle 23 is transmitted to the cutters 52 and 53.

Mounted on the outer end of the casing 55 for 'adjustment about the axis A-A is a housing l65 having a tubular extension 65a received on the reduced end of the casing 55 in abutment with a flange 55a. This relation is maintained and rotary adjustment of the housing permitted by T- bolts 86 extending through and anchored in the flange 55 with their heads seated in annular T- slots 86a in the face of the extension 65a. A second tubular extension 65h of the housing 65 concentric with the axis B-B provides a bearing for a second housing 14 having a flange 14a formed with an annular axially facing T-slot. 91y

and held in abutment with a flange 65e by bolts 96. The 'latter are anchored in the flange 65c and have their heads seated in the slot 91. The housing 14 is thus mounted to swivel about the axis B-B.

The cutter 52 is attached in a well known manner to the projecting end 15 of a spindle 54 journaled at opposite ends in bearings 12 and 1-3 supported by the housing 14. Within the housing, the spindle has fast thereon a bevel gear 1| which meshes with l"a gear 10 on the end of a shaft 64 extending through the housing 65 along the axis B-Band journaled in bearings 6,1 supported by the housing. Fast on the shaft 64 and journaled in the bearings 66 is a bevel gear 63 which meshes with the drive gear 60. The end 68 of the shaft 64 remote from the shaft 54 projects from the housing 65 and is adapted to receive the shank of the milling cutter 53.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the driving connections are such as to permit swiveling of the housing 65 about the axis A-A to move both the spindle shafts 64 and 54 about this axis. In addition,. the housing 14 may be swiveled about the axis B-B to effect a further adjustment of the spindle 54. In other words the spindle 54 may be shifted bodily about either or both of the axes A-A and B-B. 'I'he axis of the auxiliary spindle 54 is offset laterally a sufficient distance from the axis of the shaft 56 (Fig. 3) that adjustment of the cutter on the spindle 54 may be had through a full 360 degrees without interference by the housing 55.

In view of the heavy loads to which the cutters may be subjected, novel adjusting and locking mechanisms have vbeen provided to insure rigid `connection of the housings 55, 65, and 14 after adjustment of the cutter. These mechanisms are similar in construction and that for the housamano ing tt comprises a pair of concentric rings y'Hi and 'i8 fast respectively on the housing 55 and its supports 55 and having mating teeth on their adjacent surfaces which may be moved into engagement to lock the members positively against relative rotation. As shown in Fig. 4, the ring' 16 has teeth 11 on its outer periphery and is keyed to the guide flange .55a on the housing 55. The ring 18 is split radially as indicated at 18 and has teeth 80 on its inner surface encircling the ring 18. Relative rotation between the split ring 18 and the housing 65 is prevented by the engagement of a lug 8l on the split ring, with a pair of abutments in the form of screws 82 threaded in the opposite side walls of a yoke 83 integral with the housing 65. Threading through lugs 19 (Fig. 4) on the split portions of the ring` 'it is a screw 84 which may be turned to expand or contract the ring. When the ring 18 is contracted about the ring 16 with the teeth 411 and iid engaged, the housing 65 will be locked firmly to the casing 55. By loosening the screw 84 to relieve the clamping pressure, the ring 18 may be shifted axially to disengage the teeth 8|] from the teeth 11 after which the housing 65 may be turned as desired. After adjustment, the rings are reengaged and locked together by tightening the screw 84.

The numbers of teeth on the rings 16 and 18 are so chosen that an advance of one tooth therebetween will eiect an angular adjustment of the housing 65 of fixed amount. In the preterred construction illustrated, 120 teeth are provided on the ring 16 so that the housing 65 may be adjusted about the axis A--A in increments of three degrees each. Finer adjustment may be effected by shifting the screws ,82 to move the lug 8| and its attached split ring 18 with respect to the housing 55. The amount of this latter adjustment is determined by cooperating marlrs 85 on the periphery of the` split ring 18 and a scale 85n (Figs. 4 and 5) which overlies the same. Anaccurate Vernier adjustment is thus provided. After the housing has been adjusted a in the manner described above, the bolts 86 may be tightened to effect final rigid locking of the housing 65 to the casing 55.

-Upon reference to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be seen that the housing 14 is adjustably locked in position on the casing 65'by a similar mechanism including a ring 81 keyed to the guide flange 65b on the outer end of the casing 65 and having teeth .81 meshing with complemental teeth 88 on a resilient split ring 89 encircling the same. The split ring is adjustably made fast to the housingf14 by a lug 90 interposed between adjusting screws 8| (Fig. 3) threaded in the opposite side walls of a yoke 82 which is integral with the housing 14. As in the case of the mechanisxn previously described. the split ring 88 is Vreleasably clamped on the xed toothed ring 81 by a screw 93 which serves to draw the ends of the split ring together. The teeth 81 on the nxed ring 81 are also preferably 120 in number so that an advance of one tooth effects an any guiar adjustment of three degrees while adjustments of a lesser angularity are had by changing the position of the lug 90 with respect to the casing 65 through the medium 4of screws 8|.

scale plate 84 (Fig. 3) secured to the yoke 82 overlies a complemental scale 95 on the split ring 89 to indicate the degree of angular adjustment veffected by the screws 8|. Rigid connection ot the housings 65 'and 14 after the latter have been located in the desired angular position is effected by tightening the bolts B6.

'I'he machine tool above described is extremely versatile in its operation and is adapted to face mill surfaces disposed at Widely varying angles not only on the exterior of a work piece but is particularly adapted to machine surfaces on the interior of relatively large work pieces such, for example, as large dies or the supporting boxes therefor. Thus, the face of the cutter 52 may, by bodily adjustment of the cutter about the axes A--A and B-B, be disposed at any desired plane. Then, by reciprocating the work table I0, by movlng the saddle 2l vertically, or by sliding the tool head 22 horizontally, a surface extending in any one of three transverse directions may be milled. Such Versatility of the machine tool will be apparent from Figs. 6 to 9 which illustrate the manner of milling different surfaces on the interior of a work piece |68 while the latter is supported with one of its Hat exterior sides it clamped against the table it and with its open side m2 facing toward the column iii.

It will be observed from Fig. l that by spacing the head ways 25 vertically, both of them may be located closely adjacent the column ways 28. This makes for an extremely compact arrangement o the parts on the head and saddle because the required spacing of the ways may be obtained with a head of minimum horizontal depth. ln addition, the bending stresses exerted on the saddle as an incident to the various machining operations are reduced to a minimum because no one of the head ways overhangs the ways 28 to any substantial degree.

For example, it may be desirable to fashion a at surface idd within the interior of the work piece, this surface being disposed angularly with respect to all of the exterior surfaces of the work piece on which it might be supported. In such case, the housing 65 is first adjusted so that the intermediate shaft or spindle 64 therein is in an exactly horizontal position. The angular position of the housing 14 is then adjusted through the medium of the adjustment and locking mechanism heretofore described until the active face of the cutter 52 is disposed, at exactly the desired angle. These adjustments having been effected, the tool head assembly 22 is advanced along the ways 26 to position the cutter 52 Within the hollow work piece. Then, the driving motor 24 is started, and the table i0 is traversed at a suitable feed rate yto move the portion of the work. piece to be machined across the face of the cutter.

Similarly, if it is desired to machine a downwardly facing but angularly disposed surface |04 (Fig. 1), the angular adjustment of the housing 14 is changed to position the cutter 52 at exactly the angle required, and the saddle 2l is traversed upwardly on the column 'I8 to position the cutter at the desired verticalheight., Then, as in the previous case, the work piece is moved across the face of the rotating cutter by advancing the table i0 at a feed rate.

Fig. 8 illustrates the position of the housing 14 and cutter 52 for machining a flat surface |85 within the work piece IBD, but in this instance, it will be noted that the surface to be machined faces outwardly away from the tool head assembly. As was previously noted, however, the casing 14 may be rotated about the axis B-B through a fun 36o degrees-Witheet interference of the cutter 52`with the casing 55 and consequentlynnthe casing 14 may beA adjusted wi/thout diiilculty to the position shown in Fig. 8. As 'in the previous instance, the machining operation is effected by advancing the table I0 at a feed rate to move the work piece past the face of the rotating cutter.

Fig. 9 illustrates the use of the machine in milling an interiorly located vertical surface IOS on the work piece |00. For this operation, the housing is rotated about the axis A-A through the medium of its adjustment mechanism to position the shaft 64 therein vertically.` The housing 1 'I4 is then swiveled about the axis B-B in order to position the cutter 52 in a positionof selected angularity and the table I0 advanced to bring the work piece into operative relation with the cutter. A feed movement is then effected by traversing the saddle 2| along the column I9 while rotating the cutter.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other adjustments of the cutter or cutters may be had to facilitate the machining of surfaces which are diicult if not impossible of access with ordinary milling machines. It will also be seen that, despite the extremely Wide variation in positions of the cutter, all of the adjustments may be effected with precision, and the movable unitarytool head assembly 22 furnishes such a rigid support for the tool head attachment and driving spindles that exure of the tool shafts or spindles with consequent ina'ccuracies in the machining operations is reduced to a minimum.

I claim as my invention:

1. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a work supporting table mounted for-horizontal reciprocaton, an upstanding column xedly mounted at one side of said table and' having vertical ways thereon, a saddle movable vertically along said column Ways, a head horizontally slidable on said saddle, an elongated horizontal tool spindle, bearing means journaling said spindle in said head and supporting the same therein throughout a substantial portion of the spindles length with an end portion of the spindle overlying said table, said spindle end portion being adapted to support a cutter, a prime mover power actuating mechanism for rotating said spindle mounted on said head and constituting therewith a unitary structure, and means for traversing said head on said saddle axially 0f said spindle to project the latter bodily a desired distance over said table while retaining said spindle fully supported Within said head by said bearing means.

2. A machine tool comprising, incombination, a horizontally reciprocable work supporting table, an upstanding column fixedly mounted at Vone side of said table and having vertical Ways thereon, a saddle movable vertically Aalong said column ways, a pair of vertically spaced guide surfaces on one side of said saddle, a. head having complemental guide ways onone side thereof mating with said guide surfaces on said saddle to support said head thereon for horizontal sliding movement, an elongated tool spindle, bearing means journaling said spindle in said head and supporting the same therein throughouta substantial portion of the spindles length with an end portion of the spindle overlyingsaid table, said spindle end portion being for 'the attachment of a cutter thereto, a prime mover power actuating mechanism for rotating said spindle mounted on said head in front of said guide surfaces, and constituting with said head a uni- .tary structure, means for traversing said head on saidsaddle guide surfaces axially of said spindle to project the latter bodily a desired distance over said table while retaining the spindle fully supported within said head by said bearing means.

3. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a horizontally reciprocable Work supporting table,

-a normally stationary vertical column mounted at one side of said table and having vertical ways thereon, a saddle movable vertically along said column ways, a pair of vertically spaced guide surfaces on one side of said saddle, a head having complemental guide ways on one side thereof mating with said ,guide surfaces on said saddle to support said head thereon for horizontal sliding movement, an elongated tool spindle, bearing means on said head journaling said spindle throughout a substantial portion of the spindle length and for axial movement of the spindle to project one end portion thereof over said table, power driven actuating mechanism for rotating said spindle, means by which said spindle may be fed axially relative to said head, means for traversing said head lon said saddle guide surfaceswhile Vretaining the spindle fully supported Within said head by said bearingmeans `4. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a horizontally reciprocable work supporting table, a normally stationary vertical column mounted at one side of said table and having vertical ways thereon, a saddle movable vertically along said column ways, horizontal spaced'guide surfaces on Ione side of said saddle extending transversely of said table, a. head having complemental guide ways mating with said guide surfaces on said sad- .dle to support said head thereon for horizontal sliding movement, a tool spindle adapted to support a cutter and comprising an element rotatable on said head to turnrv about an axis paralleling said guide surfaces and an inner element splined in said rotatable element to permitv one end to be projected over said table, power driven actuating mechanism for rotating said spindle, and means by which said head may be fed endwise and said spindle may be fed axially relative to thev head.

5. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a work supporting table' reciprocable along fixed horizontal ways, a stationary vertical column mounted at one side of said table and having vertical ways on the front face thereof spaced laterally of the direction of reciprocaton of said table, a saddle movable vertically along said c01- umn wayswhereby the latter provide the sole means of-supporting andguiding the saddle, a pair of separate vertically spaced horizontal 'guide surfaces on said `saddle disposed in front of and closely adjacent said column ways, a head having complemental guide ways on one side there-4 of mating .with said guide surfaces on said saddle to support said head thereon for horizontal sliding movement, a tool spindle journaled on said head may be fed axially relative to said saddle and the latter may be fedalong Isaid column.

JOHN JOHNSON. 

